Purnima Hembram of Santhal tribe bags pentathlon gold for India at Asian indoor meet

 

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India had a golden start in athletics at the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan last evening, as Purnima Hembram finished at the top spot in the pentathlon event. The 24-year-old athlete belongs to Santhal tribe and hails from Mayurbhanj, Odisha.

Purnima has also been Asian championship bronze medalist in 2015 and 2017 and Asian Junior Champion in 2012, scored a total of 4062 points to finish at the top of the 10-athlete field with Thailand’s Winatho Wrtaf Wassana (3915 points) and Sunisa Khotseemueang (3093 points) finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Apart from International events, she has also won several National and state level competitions. A detailed list of her achievements can be accessed here. Purnima has set another milestone and an example for young Adivasi women and men. With the recent Dhyanchand award to Sumrai Tete, news of Adivasi women shining in various national and international sports events is a matter of pride for the Adivasi communities.